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Sampling and Pretreatment of Tooth Enamel Carbonate for Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Analysis
Published on: August 15, 2018
Newly recognized Pleistocene human teeth from Tabun Cave, Israel
Alfredo Coppa1, Rainer Grün, Chris Stringer
1Department of Animal and Human Biology, Section of Anthropology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. alfredo.coppa@uniroma1.it
Journal of Human Evolution
|June 21, 2005
Summary
Seven human teeth from Tabun Cave, initially of uncertain origin, have been identified as likely Neanderthal (Tabun BC7). Dating suggests an age of approximately 90,000 years, placing them in Layer B and providing new insights into early human populations.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Archaeological Science
- Human Evolution
Background:
- Seven human teeth from Tabun Cave, Israel, have uncertain provenance and identity.
- Previous suggestions linked them to Tabun Layer A (Bronze Age to Recent).
Observation:
- Distinctive morphological and metric features of the teeth warranted further investigation.
- The teeth were assigned to a single individual, Tabun BC7.
- Fragment of Tabun BC7's M3 crown analyzed using Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) and Uranium-series (U-analysis).
Findings:
- ESR/U-analysis of Tabun BC7 yielded preliminary age estimates of 82 ± 14 ka and 92 ± 18 ka, with a refined estimate of 90(+30)(-16) ka, consistent with Layer B.
- Comparison with other Tabun fossils (e.g., C1) suggests BC7 and C1 are chronologically attributable to Layer B.
- Dental morphology, metrics, and chronology indicate Tabun BC7 is a probable Neanderthal specimen.
Implications:
- This study re-evaluates the provenance and age of Tabun Cave hominin fossils.
- The findings contribute to understanding Neanderthal presence and chronology in the Levant.
- Provides a probable Neanderthal identification for the Tabun BC7 specimen based on integrated evidence.
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